Arsenal v Stoke City tips – back a Gunners win to nil

When will Arsenal come to life this season? Arsene Wenger’s team struggled to seven points before the international break, with improvement required to keep pace with Manchester City.

Perhaps they will get among the goals in this match against a Stoke City team who have accrued just two points from their opening four fixtures, with Steven Nzonzi a big miss from the heart of midfield.

The Potters have Afellay and Adam suspended for this trip to the Emirates and we should note that Stoke trailed at White Hart Lane 2-0 before an unlikely comeback to see them come away with a point.

Arsenal have looked pretty solid defensively since that horror start against West Ham, with just one goal conceded in the past three and back-to-back clean sheets in the past two.

Gabriel Paulista has deputised well for Per Mertesacker and calls for a defensive midfielder don’t sound too loud now, with Francis Coquelin shining in that particular role.

So we’re confident that Arsenal can bank another clean sheet in this match and they should have enough firepower to ensure that goals are scored at the other end.

Alexis Sanchez will surely hit double figures this season, with Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hoping to get the nod after featuring for England over the international break.